Global Arab Network | National Youth Orchestra of Iraq to perform groundbreaking concert

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National Youth Orchestra of Iraq to perform groundbreaking concert

- Maha Karim

Wednesday, 04 August 2010 15:51

Zuhal_Sultan National Youth Orchestra of Iraq to perform groundbreaking concert

On 8 August, one of the world’s most exciting orchestras, The National Youth Orchestra of Iraq (NYOI), will be performing a concert in northern Iraq.

The Youth Orchestra is the inspiration of 18-year-old Iraqi pianist and British Council Global Changemaker, Zuhal Sultan. This year she is bringing together 42 talented young musicians from across Iraq in Erbil for two weeks of rehearsals and a final concert where they will perform a programme of classical and traditional Iraqi music.

With support from the British Council and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the orchestra aims to develop young Iraqis’ love of music and to showcase the rich talent within the country to the outside world. It brings together musicians from a diverse range of ethnic and religious backgrounds to play music and share experiences, in the context of rebuilding Iraq.

The British Ambassador to Iraq, Dr John Jenkins said: "Four years ago I sat in a crowded auditorium in Jerusalem listening to a passionate Daniel Barenboim, the distinguished conductor and pianist, giving the BBC's Reith lectures on the role of music in healing conflict. It was a moving and inspiring occasion, and I think of it now as I look forward eagerly to the second appearance in Iraq of the outstanding NYOI, made up of the best young musicians from across Iraq.

“We at the British Embassy in Baghdad are delighted to be supporting the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq again this year. This vibrant and dynamic orchestra exemplifies the region's rich social and cultural identity. It too shows how the act of creating music can bring communities together. And it is proof of what a diverse and creative society can achieve, when people come together in harmony rather than conflict.”

But bringing the orchestra together has not been without its difficulties. In many parts of Iraq, especially in Baghdad continued insecurity has seen many musicians singled out for attack, making it almost impossible for young people to develop their skills and play as part of a group.

The volatile security situation also prevented many of the would-be members from travelling to auditions. To overcome this problem and ensure as many people as possible had the chance to be a part of the project, the organisers used YouTube to allow them to view the musicians’ performances and choose the final participants.

“In a country such as Iraq music is often secondary to more basic needs, however this project has shown the world that music has the power to bring people together and to bridge the gap between communities and countries”, said Tony Reilly, Director of The British Council in Iraq.

“The British Council is delighted to be working with the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq again this year as it continues to develop and grow into one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic youth orchestras”

During the two weeks of rehearsals the orchestra will be supported by tutors from the UK, Germany, USA and Poland. The orchestra’s mentor and musical director is Paul MacAlindin, who has conducted the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the Düsseldorf Symphoniker.

“This orchestra is special because we bring together Kurds and Arabs in a large group to work with intense discipline, and publicly celebrate their culture and the music they love”, said Paul MacAlindin. “To many people the potential diplomatic power of the orchestra in not immediately obvious, but this project is testament to the positive bonds and experiences that music can bring.”

The orchestra came together for its first concert last year and has since joined the League of American Orchestras and is a co-operating member of the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras. This year the 42 new and returning young musicians will be joined by Kurdish folk singer and harpist Tara Jaff as well as two international musicians: a bassoonist from the National Youth Orchestra of Turkey and oboist from the National Youth Orchestra of Italy. The programme will include Iraqi and European works including Beethoven – Symphony No. 1, Lance Conway - Heartbeat of Baghdad, Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto with Mohammed Adnan al Nuaimi, and Tara Jaff – Chang and Qafilachi.

Global Arab Network

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